GB1565011A - Coining die assemblies - Google Patents

Description

PATENT SPECIFICATION

( 21) Application No 8177/77 ( 31) Convention Application No.

688019 ( 32) Filed 19 May 1976 in ( 11) 1 565 011 ( 22) Filed 25 Feb 1977 ( 33) United States of America (US) ( 44) Complete Specification Published 16 Apr 1980 ( 51) INT CL 3 B 2 l J 13/03 // 13/04 B 21 K 23/00 ( 52) Index at Acceptance B 3 H 2 C 2 H 4 A 1 4 W B 3 Q 2 B 2 C 1 2 F 3 A 2 F 6 1 D 1 ( 54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO COINING DIE ASSEMBLIES ( 71) We, GULF &WESTERN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, a corporation organised under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America, of 23100 S Providience Drive, Southfield, Michigan, United

States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:-

This invention relates generally to coin pressing and, more particularly, to a coining die assembly for use with a press.

In the art of coining metal, it is well known that a coin blank is positioned between opposed coining dies which are relatively reciprocable and cooperable to shape the blank upon movement toward one another The dies are generally mounted in a press, one on the press bed and the other on the press slide, which most often is an overhead slide Further, the drive mechanism for the press or a portion of the component parts thereof is generally above the dies Accordingly, in either instance, lubricant for the press slide and/or drive mechanism will fall on the dies necessitating an interruption in production to eliminate this undesirable condition Furthermore, mounting the die components on the slide and press bed requires that the die components be installed and properly aligned within the press proper.

This not only requires considerable time and is achieved only with difficulty, but results in making the slide alignment critical with respect to the slide guide arrangement Still further, the fact that the die components must be attached to the press slide and bed makes die removal inconvenient and time consuming Additionally, any slide deflections during press operation can cause inaccuracies in alignment of the coining die components, and these inaccuracies can result in reducing the quality of the coined product, causing excessive wear and/or damage to the component parts of the die tool assemblies, and reducing production rate by 45 requiring a slower press speed than desired in an effort to minimize these disadvantages.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a unitary coining die assembly for mounting in sus 50 pension on un inderdriven press having a frame including a die supporting frame portion and slide means below said frame portion and reciprocable in opposite directions toward and away therefrom, wherein the die assembly is 55 adopted to be mounted in suspension on said frame portion and includes first and second coining die parts, support means for said first and second coining die parts including means attaching said first coining die part to the 60 frame portion and means supporting the second coining die part for reciprocation relative to said first coining die part between a first position in which the second coining die part is spaced below the first coining die part, and a second 65 position; coin blank feed means between the first and second coining die parts and having a coin blank opening therethrough to receive and support a coin blank when the second coining die part is in said first position, said second 70 coining die part in the second position extending through the coin blank opening and being cooperable with said first coining die part to shape the blank, and biasing means biasing the second coining die part toward said first 75 position, the slide means in reciprocating toward the frame portion engaging and disp'lacing 'he second die means upwardly from the first position to the second position.

In accordance with another aspect of the 80 _ 1) go 1 565 011 present invention, there is provided a unitary coining die assembly for mounting in suspension on an underdriven press having a frame including a die supporting frame portion and slide means below said frame portion and reciprocable toward and away therefrom, said die assembly being adopted to be mounted in suspension on said frame portion and including mounting plate means transverse to the die assembly axis and attachable to the frame portion, support plate means spaced below and parallel to and connected to the mounting plate means, first coining die support means on the mounting plate means, second coining die support means mounted on the support plate means for axial reciprocation relative thereto and toward and away from said first coining die support means, biasing means biasing the second coining die support means axially away from the first coining die support means, said first and second coining die support means having axes coaxial with the assembly axis, and collar means on the support plate means and having a die cavity opening therethrough coaxial with the assembly axis, the collar means being located between the first and second coining die support means, coin blank feed means between the collar means and the second coining die support means, the second coining die support means including pad means facing the slide means when said coining die assembly is mounted on the press frame portion, the pad means being engaged by the slide means to displace the second coining die support means axially toward the first coining die support means.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a unitary coining die assembly for mounting in suspension on an underdriven press having a frame including a die supporting frame portion and slide means below said frame portion and reciprocable toward and away therefrom, said die assembly having an axis in said direction and being mounted in suspension on said frame portion and including mounting plate means transverse to said axis and attachable to said frame, first and second support plates parallel to and axially spaced from said mounting plate means, said first plate being between said mounting plate means and the second plate, post means laterally spaced from said axis and interconnecting the first and second plates with one another and with the mounting plate means, first coining die support means mounted on said mounting plate means for reciprocating movement axially thereof, means biasing the first coining die support means toward the support plate means, a first hinged member co-planar with the first support plate and interconnected therewith for pivotal movement about a first axis parallel to and laterally spaced from said assembly axis, said first support plate and said hinged member having lateral recesses therein, said hinged member having first and second positions relative to said first support plate, the recesses being laterally opposed in the first position of the hinged member, collar means received in the recesses when said hinged member is in the first position and having a die 70 cavity opening axially therethrough, the hinged member in the second position opposing the lateral portion of said collar means corresponding to the lateral recess in said hinged member, a second hinged member co-planar with the 75 second support plate and interconnected therewith for pivotal movement about a second axis parallel to and laterally spaced from the assembly axis, second coining die support means mounted on the second hinged member for 80 pivotal movement therewith and axial reciprocation relative thereto, the first and second coining die support means and the die cavity opening having axes coaxial with said assembly axis, the second hinged member being 85 pivotal between first and second positions in which the axis of said second coining die support means is respectively coaxial with and laterally spaced from said assembly axis, the second coining die support means including 90 means engageable by the slide means to displace the second coining die support means axially toward said first coining die support means, and means biasing said second coining die support means axially away from said first 95 coining die support means.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Figure 1 is a schematic front elevation view 100 of a coining press on which is mounted a coining die assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional elevation view of the press and die assembly taken along line 2-2 in 105 Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged front elevation view of the coining die assembly; Figure 4 is a plan view of the upper mounting plate of the die assembly taken along line 110 44 in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of the lower mounting plate of the die assembly taken along line 5-5 in Figure 3; and Figure 6 is a sectional elevation view of the 115 die assembly taken along line 6-6 in Figure 3.

An underdriven metal coining press 10 is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 which is comprised of a press frame 12 including side portions 14 and a top portion 16 extending laterally 120 therebetween A slide 18 is sipport& 'or vertical reciprocation relative to the frame through gibbing 20 associated with side portions 14 of the frame Vertical reciprocation is imparted to slide 18 by means of a drive shaft 125 22 extending between the front and rear of the frame and having an eccentric 24 thereon A crank rod 26 has one end operatively associated with eccentric 24 and the other end pivotally interconnected with slide 18 through a knuckle 130 1 565 011 joint whereby, in a well known manner, rotation of the drive shaft imparts vertical reciprocating movement to slide 18.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a coining die assembly 30, to be described in greater detail hereinafter, is mounted on top portion 16 of the press frame in overlying relationship with respect to slide 18 Assembly 30 has an axis A coinciding with the vertical centerline of press 10 Basically, die assembly 30 includes a mounting plate 32 and a first, upper and a second, lower support plate assembly 34 and 36, respectively, supported in suspension therebeneath Mounting plate 32 supports a first, upper coining die component and lower support plate assembly 36 supports a second, lower coining die component As described more fully hereinafter, the lower coining die support is vertically reciprocable relative to plate assembly 36 by means of a die pad extending therebelow which is adapted to be engaged by a slide carried block 40 during upward movement of the slide The spacing between block 40 and the die pad is preferably adjustable such as by means of a wedge arrangement 42 between the slide and block 40.

As further seen in Figures 1 and 2, a rotatable blank transfer or feed wheel 44 is disposed between upper and lower support plate assemblies 34 and 36 Feed wheel 44 is operable through an associated drive mechanism 46 to feed a blank to be coined to a position between the coining dies of assembly in coordination with movement of the press slide through its stroke The blank transfer mechanism preferably is mounted on top portion 16 of the press frame and is comprised of a circular disc having a plurality of openings 44 a therethrough to receive a blank, carry the blank to the coining die station and, following the coining die operation, to transfer the shaped blank to a discharge station, not shown.

Coin blanks can, for example, be placed in a discharge hopper 48 and fed therefrom by means of a chute 50 to a vibratory type feeder 52 from which the blanks are individually fed along a discharge chute 54 to an input location with respect to feed wheel 44 The feed wheel is not a component part of the coining die assembly and, accordingly, details with regard to the structure and operation thereof are not necessary in connection with understanding the present invention Moreover, as will become apparent hereinafter, other arrangements for feeding a blank between the die components of die assembly 30 can be employed as well as other arrangements for sequentially supplying coin blanks to the feed wheel illustrated.

Referring now in particular to Figures 3-6 of the drawing, mounting plate 32 is rectangular and is adapted to be removably attached to top portion 16 of the press frame by means of four mounting bolts 56 Upper support plate assembly 34 and lower support plate assembly 36 are supported in suspension beneath and parallel to mounting plate 32 by means of a pair of post assemblies 58 and 60 adjacent laterally opposite sides of mounting plate 32.

The post assemblies are comprised of corresponding circular spacer members 62 and 64 70 having their upper ends welded or otherwise secured to mounting plate 32 and having their lower ends abutting the upper surface of upper support plate assembly 34 Spacer member 62 is provided with a circular recess 66 which 75 receives the upper end of a post pin 68 The upper end of pin 68 is suitably retained in recess 66 against axial displacement relative to spacer 62 and, preferably, is releaseably interengaged with spacer 62 such as by a removable 80 retaining pin 70 extending diametrically through spacer 62 and pin 68 Pin 68 extends downwardly through openings therefor in plate assemblies 34 and 36, as will become more apparent hereinafter, and the lower end of pin 85 68 is threaded to receive a retaining nut 72 which underlies lower plate assembly 36.

Spacer 64 is provided with a circular recess 74 which receives the upper end of a circular post pin 76 In a manner similar to that described 90 above with regard to post pin 68, pin 76 is preferably removably interengaged with spacer 64 by means of a retaining pin 78 extending diametrically through spacer 64 and pin 76 Pin 76 extends downwardly through openings therefor 95 in plate assemblies 34 and 36, and the lower end of pin 76 is threaded to receive a retaining nut 80 As will become more apparent hereinafter, the support post arrangement not only facilitates assembly and disassembly of the 10 ( component parts of the die assembly but further advantageously provides for portions of the support plate assemblies 34 and 36 to be pivotal about the axis of post pin 68.

As best seen in Figure 6, coining die assembly 10 includes a first, upper coining die member or part 82, a die cavity forming ring 84, and a second, lower coining die member or part 86 Upper coining die member 82 is attached to mounting plate 32 through a 11 removable bracket assembly 88 including a bracket member 90 and a first die member support block 92 which is vertically reciprocable relative to bracket 90 for the purpose set forth hereinafter Support block 92 is provided 11 adjacent its lower end with a plurality of adjustable die setting and aligning screws 94 extending diametrically with respect to die member 82 Screws 94 provide for retaining die member 82 in support block 92 and aligning 12 the axis of the die member relative to the axes of cavity ring 84 and lower die member 86.

Further, support block 92 includes a pad member 96 and a wedge member 98 cooperable with the pad member and adjustably inter 12 engaged with support block 92 to enable adjusting the axial position of upper die member 82 relative to support block 92 Bracket member 90 underlies a machined back-up plate which is received in a guideway 102 in 13 D 1 565 011 mounting plate 32 The bracket and back-up plate are removably interconnected with mounting plate 32 by means of a pair of bolts 104 which enable disassembly of the bracket assembly 88 as a unit from the mounting plate.

For the purpose set forth hereinafter, mounting plate 32 is provided with an opening 106 therethrough in axial alignment with coining die member 82, and opening 106 receives and supports an ejector pin 108 for reciprocating movement axially of the opening.

Pin 108 is adapted to be displaced downwardly relative to mounting plate 32 and to displace die support block 92 and this upper die member 82 downwardly relative to the mounting plate A plurality of coil springs 109 are interposed between the bottom of support block 92 and the upper surface of die cavity ring 84 to bias support block 92 upwardly into engagement with back-up plate 100.

Again referring to Figure 6, die cavity forming ring 84 is supported by upper plate assembly 34 in axial alignment with upper die member 82 More particularly, in the embodiment shown, die cavity ring 84 is surrounded by an annular collar 110 The inner periphery of collar 110 and the outer periphery of ring 84 are cooperatively recessed to be separably interengaged such that ring 84 is supported against axial displacement downwardly relative to collar 110 As best seen in Figures 3, 4 and 6, plate assembly 34 includes generally coplanar plate members 112 and 114 provided with corresponding semicircular openings 116 and 118 which cooperatively define an annular opening through the plate assembly when plate members 112 and 114 are in the positions shown in Figure 4 Openings 116 and 118 are provided with corresponding recesses 116 a and 118 a which cooperatively provide a peripheral recess to receive the correspondingly contoured outer peripheral edge of collar 110.

Plate member 114 of support plate assembly 34 is pivotal relative to plate member 112 about an axis laterally spaced from and parallel to axis A of the die assembly In the embodiment shown, plate portion 114 is hingedly interconnected with post pin 68 for pivotal movement about the axis of the post pin The hinged connection is achieved by providing a recess in the upper portion of plate member 114, as indicated by the numeral 120, and providing an aperture 122 in the remaining portion of plate member 114 to receive pin 168 Further, a hinge plate 124 is provided on the upper surface of plate member 114 in overlying relationship with recess 120 Hinge plate 124 is welded or otherwise secured to plate member 114 and is provided with an opening 126 to receive pin 68 Still further, the lower portion of plate member 112 in the area of post assembly 58 is recessed so as to provide a hinge leaf portion 128 which is disposed in recess 120 in plate member 114 Hinge leaf 128 is provided with an opening to receive pin 68, and it will be seen that this structural interrelationship provides for plate member 114 to pivot laterally about the pin axis Preferably, openings 122 and 126 are provided with 70 bearing sleeves 112 a and 126 a to enhance pivotal movement.

Plate member 114 is releasably latched in the position shown in Figure 4 by a suitable latch mechanism 130 mounted on plate mem 75 ber 112 and having a nose 132 overlying plate member 114 when the latch assembly is in the latched position It will be appreciated that by rotating the latch nose 900 from the position shown in Figures 3 and 4 that plate member 11480 is released for pivotal movement counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure 4 It will be further appreciated that such pivotal movement of plate portion 114 exposes the corresponding portion of collar 110 As 85 described more fully hereinafter, such pivotal movement also facilitates inspection, maintenance and replacement operations with regard to die cavity ring 84 and upper coining die member 82 90 Lower coining die member 86 is supported by lower support plate assembly 36 and for axial reciprocation relative thereto Additionally, support plate assembly 36 provides for the lower die member to be pivotal laterally of die 95 assembly axis A about a pivot axis spaced from and parallel to axis A More particularly, as best seen in Figures 3 and 5, support plate assembly 36 includes generally coplanar plate members 134 and 136 structurally interengaged 100 with one another and with post assembly 58 to enable pivotal movement of plate member 136 about the axis of post pin 68 In this respect, plate member 136 is provided with a recess 138 adjacent post assembly 58, and the upper and 105 lower portions of plate member 134 are recessed to provide a hinge leaf 140 received in recess 138 The upper and lower portions of plate member 136 defining recess 138 are provided with aligned openings 142 and 144 for 110 post pin 68, and hinge leaf 140 is provided with an opening 146 for the post pin Preferably, openings 142 and 144 are provided with corresponding bearing sleeves 142 a and 144 a to enhance the pivotal connection The 115 juxtaposed edges of plate members 134 and 136 are provided with an interengaging projection and recess contour which, in the embodiment disclosed, is defined by a projection 148 on plate member 134 and a recess 150 on 120 plate member 136 Plate member 134 is releaseably retained in the position shown in Figure 5 by means of a latch assembly 152 similar to latch assembly 130 described hereinabove 125 Plate member 136 of lower support assembly 36 is provided with an opening therethrough in which lower coining die member 86 is supported by means of a die member support arrangement removably mounted on support 130 plate 136 More particularly, the die member the coining dies and remains in this position support arrangement includes a die pad 154 until the coining operation is completed.

mounted on plate member 136 by means of a Accordingly, as best seen in Figure 6, upward retaining collar 156 which is attached to plate movement of the press slide causes plate 40 to 136 by means of a plurality of fasteners 158 engage die pad 154 and displace the latter and 70 The opening through plate member 136 provides thus lower coining die 86 upwardly to transfer a recess 160 which enables axial reciprocation coin blank B from feed wheel 44 into die cavity of die pad 154 relative to plate member 136 ring 84 and into engagement with upper coining A guide pin 162 is suitably attached to die member 82 Upon downward movement of plate member 136 and is received in a guide the slide, springs 166 bias lower coining die 75 recess 164 in die pad 154 to prevent rotation member 86 downwardly to its initial position, of the die pad relative to assembly axis A A and upper coining die member 82, as described plurality of coil springs 166 are interposed hereinafter, is biased downwardly to displace between plate member 136 and die pad 154 to the coined blank from die cavity ring 84 back bias the die pad downwardly toward engage into the opening in feed wheel 44 The feed 80 ment with retaining collar 156 wheel is then advanced one step to displace Die pad 154 carries a finished back-up plate the coined blank from between the die members 168 and a finished sleeve 170 Plate 168 and and to position another blank therebetween.

sleeve 170 are attached to the die pad by Preferably, upper coining die member 82 fasteners 172 and together define a seating is in the uppermost position thereof as shown 85 recess for lower die member 86 Preferably, a in Figure 6 during movement of a coin blank bearing sleeve 174 is carried by plate member upwardly into engagement therewith to achieve 136 and surrounds the upper end of sleeve shaping of the blank Further, it is desirable to enhance reciprocating movement of the to provide a bias against coining die member sleeve relative to plate 136 Further, a collar 82 in the direction toward coining die member 90 176 surrounds the upper end of die member 86 86 to assure proper ejection of a coined blank and is suitably fastened such as by studs 178 to from cavity ring 84 to feed wheel 44 In the plate member 136 It will be appreciated from embodiment herein illustrated, upward the foregoing description that displacement of positioning of the upper coining die is achieved die pad 154 upwardly relative to plate member by coil springs 109 disposed between die 95 136 displaces lower coining die member 86 support block 92 and cavity ring 84, and upwardly toward upper coining die member 82 the ejection capability is achieved by an ejector Moreover, it will be appreciated that rotation of arrangement coordinated with movement of latch assembly 152 90 from the position the slide through its stroke More particularly, shown in Figure 3 releases plate member 136 as best seen in Figure 1, a cylinder 182 is 100 for pivotal movement about the axis of post pin mounted on top portion 16 of the press frame 68, whereby lower coining die member 86 and and houses reciprocable air and hydraulic fluid the die support arrangement therefor is dis actuated pistons 184 and 186, respectively Both placeable as a unit counterclockwise from pistons are rigidly attached to a piston rod 188 the position shown in Figure 5 to a position in having a lower end 190 which abuts against 105 which the component parts are readily accessible ejector pin 108 of the coining die assembly.

for maintenance, repair or replacement Cylinder 182 and piston 184 provide an air operations chamber 192 adapted to receive air under As seen in Figure 6, plate member 112 of constant pressure through line 194 connected upper support plate assembly 34 and plate to a suitable air source, not shown Cylinder 110 members 134 and 136 of lower support plate 182 and piston 186 define a hydraulic fluid assembly 36 are provided with a lateral recess receiving chamber 196 connected to a source therebetween to receive feed wheel 44 by of hydraulic fluid under pressure through line which a blank B to be coined is positioned 198 Line 198 is connected to an outlet line between the coining die members As 200 of a hydraulic cylinder 202 disposed 115 mentioned hereinbefore, feed wheel 44 is pro beneath drive shaft 22 of the press A vided with a plurality of blank receiving reciprocable piston 204 is provided in cylinder apertures 44 a for receiving and transferring a 202 and is reciprocable relative to cylinder 202 blank to the die station and for transferring a by means of an actuating cam 206 on press blank from the die station following a coining shaft 22 A hydraulic pump 208 supplies 120 operation hydraulic fluid from a source 210 to lines 198 Referring back to Figures 1 and 2 in and 200 through a check valve 212 and a conjunction with the structure shown in Figure pressure responsive relief valve 214.

6, the intermittent movement of feed wheel 44 When the press slide is in its lowermost is co-ordinated with the stroke of press slide 18 position as shown in Figure 1, cam 206 125 so that a blank to be coined is positioned provides for piston 204 to be in an uppermost between die members 82 and 86 during that position relative to cylinder 202 to minimize portion of the slide stroke in which slide plate the hydraulic fluid pressure in chamber 196 of is disngaged from die pad 154 Feed wheel cylinder 182 The hydraulic fluid pressure at 44 stops when the blank is positioned between this time is such that the air under constant 130 1 565 011 1 565 011 pressure behind piston 184 displaces piston rod 188 downwardly to displace ejector pin 108 and thus upper coining die member 82 downwardly from the solid line to the broken line position shown in Figure 6, thus to eject a coined blank from die cavity ring 84 As the press slide begins to move upwardly cam 206 displaces piston 204 downwardly, thus to increase the hydraulic fluid pressure in chamber 196 This pressure acting against piston 186 overcomes the air pressure in chamber 192, whereby piston rod 188 is displaced upwardly allowing springs 109 to displace die support block 92 to the uppermost position thereof shown in Figure 6.

When the press slide reaches its uppermost position to complete the coining operation and begins its descent, the contour of cam 206 permits upward movement of piston 204.

This movement relieves the hydraulic fluid under pressure in chamber 196, whereby the air pressure behind piston 184 causes piston rod 188 to move downwardly such that upper coining die member 82 follows the descent of the lower coining die member to achieve the blank ejection from cavity ring 84 Pressure actuated relief valve 214 in the hydraulic fluid system enables fluid leakage back to source 210 in response to an increase in pressure in lines 198 and 200 resulting from downward movement of piston 184 during the ejection operation Any such leakage from the system which would cause the pressure to drop below the desired level on the downstream side ofcheck valve 212 is replenished by pump 208.

Preferably, piston rod 188 has an upper end 216 threaded to receive a nut or collar 218 which engages cylinder 182 to limit downward movement of the piston rod The threaded interengagement between rod end 216 and collar 218 advantageously provides for adjusting the extent of downward movement of piston rod 188 and thus the ejection stroke in the downward direction.

Referring again to Figures 3-6, it will be seen that coining die assembly 30 is readily mounted and dismounted from the press frame by means of the four bolts 56 It will be appreciated therefore that if a second die assembly is available for replacement purposes, failure of a first die assembly in a press, or the need for performing major maintenance thereon, results in substantially zero down time for the press Even if a second die assembly is not available, the structural interrelationship between the component parts of the die assembly enable inspection, maintenance and/or replacement of component parts of the die assembly to be achieved with less down time than heretofore required In this respect, pivotal movement of lower support plate member 136 counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure 5 facilitates the inspection of both the upper and lower coining die members, and permits access to the lower coining die member and the component parts of its support arrangement to facilitate maintenance and/or replacement operations with regard thereto Further, pivotal movement of upper support plate member 114 counterclock 70 wise from the position thereof shown in Figure 4 exposes the corresponding portion of collar 110, increases accessibility to the upper coining die support block, and enables removal of the support block, upper coining die member 82, 75 cavity ring 84 and collar 110 simply by removing the two bolts 104 and sliding bracket assembly 88 laterally of mounting plate 32.

Additionally, when the coining die assembly is removed from the press as a unit, it will be 80 appreciated that the component parts are readily accessible and easy to work with.

Accordingly, proper alignment between the upper and lower coining die members can be achieved more quickly and with more accuracy 85 than possible in connection with previous arrangements in which the die components are fastened one to the press frame and the other to the press slide, whereby alignment must take place within the confines of the press and 90 subject to inaccuracies in slide alignment and the like.

The above-described unitary coining die assembly has all of its component parts mounted as a unit on the press frame indepen 95 dent of any mechanical connection with the slide structure Accordingly, the coining die members of the assembly can be installed and aligned prior to mounting of the coining die assembly on the press This not only facilitates 100 achieving accuracy with respect to alignment of the dies independent of the press structure, but additionally makes slide guiding clearances unimportant since there is no mechanical fastening between the slide and the coining die 105 assembly In this respect, relative reciprocation between the coining dies is achieved merely by moving the press slide into and out of engagement with the die pad associated with one of the coining dies 110 The absence of a mechanical connection between the die assembly and slide also eliminates the necessity for accuracy with respect to a coaxial relationship between the axes of the slide and coining die components 115 Moreover, any inaccuracies in alignment which may exist or develop between the slide and the slide guides are not imposed on the coining die components Still further, the unitary structure of the coining die assembly facilitates mounting 120 and dismounting of the assembly on the press frame in a minimum amount of time and with minimum effort This enables a reduction in down time for purposes of maintenance or repair Moreover, if a second die assembly is 125 available, the die assembly in the press can be readily removed and replaced by the second die assembly, thus practically eliminating down time This enables reconditioning the removed die assembly outside the press environment 130 1 565 011 and independent of press operation.

Preferably, the above-described die assembly is employed, as shown, in conjunction with an underdriven press and is mounted on the press frame in overlying relationship with respect to the slide It will be appreciated that this arrangement eliminates the exposure of the coining die components to lubricant dropping from an overhead slide or drive mechanism.

This materially reduces the necessity to stop the press in order to clean the die components.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that down time and the resulting loss of production are thus further minimized.

Claims (28)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1 A unitary coining die assembly for mounting in suspension on an underdriven press having a frame including a die supporting frame portion and slide means below said frame portion and reciprocable in opposite directions toward and away therefrom, wherein the die assembly is adopted to be mounted in suspension on said frame portion and includes first and second coining die parts, support means for said first and second coining die parts including means attaching said first coining die part to the frame portion and means supporting the second coining die part for reciprocation relative to said first coining die part, between a first position, in which the second coining die part is spaced below the first coining die part, and a second position; coin blank feed means between the first and second coining die parts and having a coin blank opening therethrough to receive and support a coin blank when the second coining die part is in said first position, said second coining die part in the second position extending through the coin blank opening and being cooperable with said first coining die part to shape the blank, and biasing means biasing the second coining die part toward said first position, the slide means in reciprocating toward the frame portion engaging and displacing the second die means upwardly from the first position to the second position.

2 A coining die assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the coining die parts has a die axis, and wherein at least one of the coining die parts is supported for pivotal movement about an axis spaced from and parallel to the corresponding die axis.

3 A coining die assembly according to claim 2, wherein said one of the coining die parts is the second die part.

4 A coining die assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said first coining die part includes a first coining die member.

A coining die assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first coining die part further includes an element which define with the first die member a die cavity to receive the coin blank when the second die part is in its second position, the first coining die part being supported for displacement axially of the element to eject a shaped blank from the cavity.

6 A coining die assembly according to claim 5, wherein the element is in the form of an annulus surrounding the first die member.

7 A coining die assembly according to any 70 of claims 4 to 6, wherein the die assembly includes a mounting plate for mounting the assembly on the frame and a support plate for supporting the second die part, the support plate being parallel to the mounting plate and 75 interconnected therewith in spaced apart relationship, and wherein the first coining die member is mounted on the mounting plate and the second coining die part includes a second coining die member mounted on the support 80 plate for reciprocation relative thereto between the first and second positions.

8 A coining die assembly according to claim 7, wherein the first coining die member is mounted on the mounting plate for recipro 85 cation relative thereto.

9 A coining die assembly according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the support plate includes first and second portions, the second coining die member being mounted on the first portion 90 which is supported for pivotal movement relative to the second portion about an axis parallel to and spaced from the second die member axis.

A coining die assembly according to any 95 of claims 7 to 9 as appendant to claim 5, including an intermediate support plate located between said mounting plate and the said support plate, said intermediate support plate being spaced from and interconnected with the 100 mounting plate, wherein the element is mounted on the intermediate support plate.

11 A unitary coining die assembly for mounting in suspension on an underdriven press having a frame including a die supporting 105 frame portion and slide means below said frame portion and reciprocable toward and away therefrom, said die assembly being adopted to be mounted in suspension on said frame portion and including mounting plate means 110 transverse to the die assembly axis and attachable to the frame portion, support plate means spaced below and parallel to and connected to the mounting plate means, first coining die support means on the mounting plate means, 115 second coining die support means mounted on the support plate means for axial reciprocation relative thereto and toward and away from said first coining die support means, biasing means biasing the second coining die support means 120 axially away from the first coining die support means, said first and second coining die support means having axes coaxial with the assembly axis, and collar means on the support plate means and having a die cavity opening there 125 through coaxial with the assembly axis, the collar means being located between the first and second coining die support means, coin blank feed means between the collar means and the second coining die support means, the 130 1 565 011 second coining die support means including pzd means facing the slide means when said coining die assembly is mounted on the press frame portion, the pad means being engaged by the slide means to displace the second coining die support means axially toward the first coining die support means.

12 A coining die assembly according to claim 11, wherein the biasing means is spring means located between the support plate means and the second coining die support means.

13 A coining die assembly according to claim 11 or 12, including means supporting the first coining die support means on the mounting plate means for axial reciprocation toward and away from the support plate means.

14 A coining die assembly according to claim 13, including biasing means biasing the first coining die support means away from the support plate means.

A coining die assembly according to claim 14, wherein said biasing means is spring means located between the first coining die support means and the support plate means.

16 A coining die assembly according to any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the support plate means includes means supporting the second coining die support means for displacement from its position coaxial with the assembly axis.

17 A coining die assembly according to any of claims 11 to 16, wherein said support plate means includes a plate portion displaceable to laterally expose said collar means.

18 A coining die assembly according to claim 11, wherein said support plate means includes movable plate means, the second coining die support means being mounted on said movable plate means, and means supporting said movable plate means for displacement between first and second positions relative to said assembly axis and in which the axis of said second coining die support means is respectively coaxial with said assembly axis and laterally spaced therefrom.

19 A coining die assembly according to claim 18, including means releasably retaining said movable plate means in said first position thereof.

20 A coining die assembly according to claim 19, wherein said means releasably retaining the plate means in its first position is a latch.

21 A coining die assembly according to any of claims 18 to 20, wherein said movable plate means is pivotal in the plane thereof, and including means supporting said movable plate means for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to and spaced from said assembly axis.

22 A coining die assembly according to claim 21, wherein said support plate means further includes second movable plate means pivotal about an axis parallel to said assembly axis and between first and second positions, said second movable plate means in said first position being laterally adjacent said collar means and in said second position laterally exposing said collar means, and means releasably retaining said second movable plate 70 means in said first position thereof.

23 A unitary coining die assembly for mounting in suspension on an underdriven press having a frame including a die supporting frame portion and slide means below said frame 75 portion and reciprocable toward and away therefrom, said die assembly having an axis in said direction and being mounted in suspension on said frame portion and including mounting plate means transverse to said axis and attach 80 able to said frame, first and second support plates parallel to and axially spaced from said mounting plate means, said first plate being between said mounting plate means and the second plate, post means laterally spaced from 85 said axis and interconnecting the first and second plates with one another and with the mounting plate means, first coining die support means mounted on said mounting plate means for reciprocating movement axially thereof, 90 means biasing the first coining die support means toward the support plate means, a first hinged member co-planar with the first support plate and interconnected therewith for pivotal movement about a first axis parallel 95 to and laterally spaced from said assembly axis, said first support plate and said hinged member having lateral recesses therein, said hinged member having first and second positions relative to said first support plate, the 100 recesses being laterally opposed in the first position of the hinged member, collar means received in the recesses when said hinged member is in the first position and having a die cavity opening axially therethrough, the 105 hinged member in the second position opposing the lateral portion of said collar means corresponding to the lateral recess in said hinged member, a second hinged member co-planar with the second support plate and inter 110 connected therewith for pivotal movement about a second axis parallel to and laterally spaced from the assembly axis, second coining die support means mounted on the second hinged member for pivotal movement therewith 115 and axial reciprocation relative thereto, the first and second coining die support means and the die cavity opening having axes coaxial with said assembly axis, the second hinged member being pivotal between first and second positions in 120 which the axis of said second coining die support means is respectively coaxial with and laterally spaced from said assembly axis, the second coining die support means including means engageable by the slide means to displace 125 the second coining die support means axially toward said first coining die support means, and means biasing said coining die support means axially away from said first coining die support means 130 1 565 011

24 A coining die assembly according to claim 23 wherein said means biasing said second coining die support means is spring means between the second hinged member and the second coining die support means.

A coining die assembly according to claim 24, wherein said post means includes a sleeve member axially between said mounting plate means and said first plate member, and p N means in said sleeve and extending through openings therefor in the first and second plate members and the first and second hinged members, whereby the hinged members are each pivotal about the axis of the pin means.

26 A coining die support assembly according to claim 23, wherein said means biasing said first coining die support means is spring means between the collar means and the first coining die support means.

27 A coining die assembly constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

28 A press in combination with a coining die assembly according to any of claims 1 to 27.

A A THORNTON & CO.

Chartered Patent Agents Northumberland House 303/306 High Holborn London, WC 1 V 7 LE Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by MULTIPLEX techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent 1980 Published at the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London WC 2 1 AY, from which copies may be obtained.